Free Stadium of Lights: A Second Chance Sports Romance by Tia Lewis Page B

was attractive, for sure—shoulder-length golden blonde hair, deep-set brown eyes, with muscles to spare. I was used to seeing well-built guys in my line of work, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t appreciate a fine specimen when I saw one. The top two buttons of his white linen shirt were open, exposing a patch of his tanned chest.
    His eyes widened as I approached. I guessed I looked as stunning as Skylar said I did, judging by the way he did everything but lick his chops. There was something powerful in the feeling that a man was turned on by me. It gave me even more confidence.
    “Hi,” I said with a smile. “Buy me a drink?”
    “Uh, sure. Jesus, you look so—beautiful.”
    “Can I tell you a secret?” I asked when he flagged down the bartender. “Skylar helped me pick it out.”
    “Oh, she’s the best, right? But you can’t put lipstick on a pig and expect a supermodel like my mama always said.” He saw me frown and chuckled.
    “What?”
    “What I mean is, she had great material to start out with. If you weren’t already pretty …”
    “Oh, I get it now. You almost lost me there,” I blushed. He wasn’t the very best with his metaphors, but he seemed friendly enough. And he definitely liked what he saw, no question. I ordered a glass of scotch, and I saw Chad’s eyes widen in appreciation.
    “Good for you,” he murmured as the bartender poured.
    “I have no time for frou-frou drinks,” I explained with a smile. We toasted to that.
    “So, how do you like your new job so far?” he asked, as we made our way across the room to where a buffet was being set up. The food smelled great, and I realized I hadn’t eaten since eight that morning. I’d been too nervous during the game to eat anything.
    “Oh, I love it,” I said. “All I need is for you guys to stay healthy, not get injured, and I’m golden. I can just sit and watch the games.”
    He laughed. “Wishful thinking. I think all of us end up in the therapy room at least once during the season.”
    “I’m sure, and I’m ready.”
    “I heard you used to work with rugby and soccer players.”
    “Don’t let any of them hear you calling it soccer,” I laughed. “And yes I did.”
    “You must be pretty tough then. It’s rare, finding a woman like you who’s also very attractive.” His eyes seemed to glow with special meaning as they roamed my body again. I felt a distinct tingle between my legs and knew that if I gave Chad the go-ahead, we’d be back at his place before the food was ever served. He could be mine at the end of the night if I wanted him.
    Did I want him? My body screamed yes, a thousand times yes. It had been way too long since the last time I’d been with a man, and that experience had been wholly unsatisfying. My girlfriends back in London had convinced me to go home with a guy who’d picked me up, and he was utterly hopeless. Not that I was the queen of sexual experience, but I knew it was a problem if I had to show him where certain parts were. It had been over after five thrusts. Terrible.
    I knew Chad would be excellent—a man like him? He’d only have to lay there and let me look at him while I rode him. It wouldn’t take me long at all. I knew NFL players got around, so with the experience he surely had, he’d rock my world.
    So my body was all-in.
    But was my heart?

11

Max
    I got to The Bronze Rose around six. The valet took my car, and the Maître D’ showed me to the room Skylar had reserved for us. It was pretty typical—dim lighting, a few long tables cloaked in white and gold, the restaurant’s signature colors. Gold fabric draped along the walls, a gold mosaic along the ceiling. Not exactly homey, but the sort of place I was used to.
    I wondered if she’d taken Chad up on his invite, then doubted it. She didn’t seem to like any of us very much, and she’d be way out of place with a group like ours. I said hi to a few of the woman—all good-looking, all perfectly dressed and made up. I